Private First Class Vincent James Delaney was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on May 21st, 1922. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August 5th, 1942 and attended basic training at Parris Island, SC.
Following training Delaney was assigned as a 16mm Projectionist and rifleman to F company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. Delaney’s first taste of combat came when he landed at Cape Gloucester December 29th, 1943 and was engaged in fighting at Air-strip #2 on Dec. 30th. From there, Delaney and F company sailed to Pavuvu for R&R. On September 15th, 1944 Delaney and F Company landed at Peleliu on Beach ORANGE 2 as the regimental reserve.
2/5 moved quickly to the front, relieved I/3/5, and launched a vigorous assault eastward. The battalion then turned north, deployed across the entire southern end of the airfield, and reduced a nest of pillboxes that had 3/5 pinned down. Delaney and F Company then fought off the infamous Japanese Tank attack across the airfield. That night while in his Foxhole on the edge of the Airfield, Delaney was ambushed by a Japanese infiltrator. Delaney kicked the Solider in the chest and ran but was shot through the back of the head and out his left eye before, removing a piece of his nose, before the infiltrator was cut down by other Marines.
Delaney was evacuated and had his left eye amputated. After arriving back home he was eventually discharged on July 13th, 1945. Vincent would end up being apart of a popular group of One eyed vets that played Billiards at the Sampson Naval Hospital, who called themselves “the four-eyed billiards team”.
After recovering Delaney took a position as a meter maid, would marry Ms. Marion Shannon in January 16th, 1952, and they would never have children. Vincent James Delaney passed away in 1982 and his wife followed in 2006 still in their hometown of Poughkeepsie, NY.
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